Traces #1 – Sand Sculpted by Water Showing Footprints– Black & White Nature Photography

The First Mark in a Quiet Narrative

This is the first in a series of five black-and-white images, all captured along the coast of Maine during what was originally planned as a fall foliage workshop. The weather, however, had other plans—cloudy skies and scattered rain—but the moody light ended up being a gift.

When Plans Change, Art Emerges

Sometimes the most meaningful work comes from embracing the unexpected. While the brilliant autumn colors we had anticipated remained hidden behind gray skies, the subdued light created something entirely different—an atmosphere of quiet contemplation that perfectly suited black and white photography. The soft, even illumination eliminated harsh shadows and allowed subtle textures to emerge with remarkable clarity.

A Pandemic Discovery

While many of the images from that Maine trip shine brilliantly in color (as seen in my color galleries), this particular set emerged later, during the stillness of the pandemic lockdown. Isolated from the outside world and with time to truly examine my archive, I began to see some images differently—less about the vibrant hues of autumn or the blue-gray palette of the Atlantic, and more about form, contrast, and the power of negative space.

The Birth of the Traces Series

That's how Traces was born—not in the moment of capture, but in the quiet reflection that came months later. The series represents a shift in perspective, a recognition that some photographs reveal their true nature only when stripped of color's distractions. Each image in the series explores the theme of impermanence—the temporary marks left by water, wind, and human presence on the landscape.

Line, Texture, and Memory in the Sand

In Traces #1, the retreating tide has etched delicate channels across the sand, carving flowing lines that echo the branching patterns found throughout nature—river deltas viewed from above, the intricate network of tree branches against winter sky, or even the neural pathways of thought itself. These natural patterns speak to something fundamental about how water moves, how systems organize, how beauty emerges from simple physical forces.

Evidence of Fleeting Presence

A few footprints cut diagonally across the scene—silent evidence of a presence now gone, perhaps a morning walker who passed by hours before the tide began its retreat. These human marks add scale and narrative to what might otherwise be purely abstract, reminding us that we are both observers of and participants in the coastal environment.

Deceptive Simplicity

The simplicity of the composition is deceptive; there's story and movement here, even in the apparent stillness. The flowing water channels suggest motion and time, the footprints imply human experience and journey, and the interplay of textures creates visual music that speaks to something deeper than literal representation.

Fascination with Temporary Marks

As with much of my work, I'm drawn to texture, pattern, and the elemental marks left by time, weather, and human passage. These ephemeral compositions speak to a lifelong fascination with impermanence—the way landscapes hold memory, however briefly, before the next tide, the next storm, or the next season erases the evidence and begins the cycle anew.

The Power of Negative Space

The large areas of smooth sand in Traces #1 are as important as the detailed textures—they provide visual rest and allow the eye to appreciate the delicate intricacies of the water patterns and footprint impressions. This use of negative space is fundamental to the series' contemplative quality.

A Series Designed for Contemplation

I hope you'll explore the full Traces series and see how the five images complement each other. Each piece stands alone as a meditation on coastal beauty, but together they create a more complete narrative about the temporary marks we and nature leave on the world around us.

Limited Edition Details

Available in a Limited Edition of 15, with 2 Artist Proofs